The African Forum for Agriculture Advisory Services, (AFAAS) has been tasked to fast track a continental agriculture extension policy agenda to support implementation of the new CAADP Kampala declaration. The call was made by the African union commissioner for the department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (AUDRBE) His Excellency Moses Valakati. While meeting the AFAAS Executive Director Dr Lilian Kidula Lihasi in Kigali recently.
The commissioner noted that Africa agriculture extension required a lot of focus as it is the back borne of sustainable agriculture and main link between the farmer and policy makers.
“AUC is interested to work with institutions that can deliver on a continental promise, by doing tangible actions, I therefore urge AFAAS to work with the Commission to develop and deliver on a continental AEAS policy and agenda. Said His Excellency, Moses Vilakati.
Dr Llilan Kidula Lihasi appreciated the African Union Commission for its long partnership with the AFAAS through a signed memorandum of understanding ,which mandates AFAAS bring together and anchor policy issues that affect agriculture extension and further to develop an Action Plan and submit to the AUC, that can be reviewed every year.
“Agriculture Extension and Advisory Services have massive potential to deliver the needed impact in the food systems transformation, and yet member states still do not give it priority funding as expected, its our prayer now that working the Commission, we push for increased funding and value towards agriculture extension across Africa.” Said Dr Liliam kidula Lihasi.
At the meeting, attended by team members from both institutions, the commissioner reechoed the need to strengthen partnerships and building strong organizations that will drive Africa’s agenda ahead.
“As a commission, we want to work with strategic allies such as AFAAS to support our African union commission agenda, this includes Support to agricultural commodity import substitution for key food commodities such as Maize, Rice, wheat, in the regional blocks. This aimed at ensure food self-reliance in Africa. And also to Create Soil Maps. To achieve this, we are interested to work with institutions that can deliver on a continental promise, by doing tangible actions” Said the Commissioner
The AFAAS executive director further asked the commissioner to introduce AFAAS to the member states, as a technical arm of the AUC on AEAS. This would be a great step towards pushing for a stronger Africa agriculture extension and advisory service policy.
